Cuba Sostenible

Louisiana Trade Mission to Cuba

Cuba Strategies Inc12 April 2016

"For us the possibilities are limitless" (1) were the words of Ralph Abraham, U.S. representative for the 5th Congressional District of Louisiana, who returned from a trade mission to Cuba on April 9th. The representative had coordinated the trip with Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford and businessmen from both states. In the mission, there was also Senator Francis Thompson, from the agriculture committee, who also mention the trade potential between the two countries.

Abraham also said he thought the embargo on Cuba could be lifted in the current year, but would be more likely to happen the following year, once the general election is concluded.

Louisiana business interests in Cuba are significant, with potential in industries such as food and agriculture, wood, chemicals, logistics, technology, heavy industry, fuels, real estate and tourism.

"Prior to the embargo, Cuba was the largest importer of Louisiana rice", signed Kevin M Berken, chief executive of Louisiana Rice Promotion Board at a meeting last month at the Petroleum Club (2) "So it is critically important for us to be able open trade with other countries, Cuba being the main focus. It has been a focus for the last 20 or 30 years."

Mutual opportunities representing two neighboring economies such as Cuba and Louisiana show the contradictions in the policy of economic embargo against the island and the immense potential of collaboration.